Northern Ireland Women and Crusaders Strikers defender Julie Nelson has been awarded a British Empire Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.
Nelson, who became the first NI women’s player to win 100 caps back in 2018, has been recognised on the honours list for services to women’s football in Northern Ireland.
The 35-year-old central defender played against Scotland in midweek, taking her tally to 117 caps.
“It’s an incredible honour to be on the Queen’s Birthday Honours List. It’s not something I ever imagined my name would be on. It’s special to be on the list and to be given an honour after so many years of hard work,” Nelson told irishfa.com.
“It also shows that women’s football is now on the map in Northern Ireland. Some of the other countries (England, Scotland and Wales) have got recognition in the past so it’s great to see one of our players now getting recognition and hopefully more will get recognition in the future,” she added.
In other awards, Kelly Simmons, the FA’s women’s professional game director, receives an OBE for her services to the WSL and David Faulkner (FA women’s professional game head of performance) an MBE for services to sport.